The extraordinarily precise architectural details in John Taylor Arms' etchings continue to elicit awe from all those art-lovers who are fascinated by the genre.

For the first time in recent memory, the Housatonic Museum is taking 10 Arms' works out of storage from its permanent collection and putting them on display -- briefly. The works will be on view through Sunday, Dec. 15, at Housatonic Community College's Community Gallery, on the third floor of Beacon Hall.

Robbin Zella, museum director, said last week that the works on display, executed in Arms' "celebrated meticulous style," were all donated to the Housatonic Museum by his son, Henry Arms.

Considered among the greatest printmakers of the 20th century, Arms (1887--1953) concentrated on depicting Gothic architecture in France, England and Mexico.

"Arms traveled extensively, recording the churches and other compelling architectural sites with his incessant attention to minute detail. His prints are examples of the highest level of technique in graphic arts," the exhibit notes.

Zella said the works are only "shown occasionally because of the very delicate (nature of) paper and damage that light can do to the work.

"Our goal is always to share and yet preserve the works for future generations, she said.

Born in Washington, D.C., Arms considered Connecticut as his American home base, Zella said. He produced about 430 etchings, dry points and aquatints and prints in other media. He aligned himself with the Gothic revival artists who were fascinated by the late Middle Ages, the exhibition notes.

Arms attended Princeton University and studied law for two years prior to studying architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After service in World War I, drawing and etching became his primary interests.

Zella also noted that the exhibit "ties works in the collection -- in this case images of Gothic architecture -- to (the museum's) Peer Docent program (for Bridgeport public school students), which, this year, will focus on the amazing architecture in Bridgeport. We have an example of the Salt Box to our own Crystal Palace (the recently renovated Arcade) to a Richard Meier building (People's United Bank) and everything in between. We have excellent examples of Romanesque, Art Deco, Beaux Arts, and Classical Revival, to name a few" in downtown Bridgeport, she explained.

"I think this is one of the best programs we have offered to date, and I'm so happy to be using the city itself as a teaching tool," she said, adding that anyone who loves architecture will enjoy the exhibit, as well as a stroll through center city.

Docents will also participate in a field trip to the Glass House in New Canaan, to experience the legacy of architect Philip Johnson.

"With its arts enrichment emphasis, Bridgeport students become `experts' about several works and present their knowledge to their classmates during guided tours," Zella said.

Now entering its 14th year, "the Peer Docent Program introduces students to art and art history, teaches them to look at art critically, and to develop visual, analytical, and leadership skills that will assist them across the academic disciplines and throughout their lifetimes," she said.